Abstract
BackgroundPropagating waves of excitation have been observed extensively in the neocortex, during both spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity, and they play a critical role in spatially organizing information processing. However, the state-dependence of these spatiotemporal propagation patterns is largely unexplored. In this report, we use voltage-sensitive dye imaging in the rat visual cortex to study the propagation of spontaneous population activity in two discrete cortical states induced by urethane anesthesia.ResultsWhile laminar current source density patterns of spontaneous population events in these two states indicate a considerable degree of similarity in laminar networks, lateral propagation in the more active desynchronized state is approximately 20% faster than in the slower synchronized state. Furthermore, trajectories of wave propagation exhibit a strong anisotropy, but the preferred direction is different depending on cortical state.ConclusionsOur results show that horizontal wave propagation of spontaneous neural activity is largely dependent on the global activity states of local cortical circuits.
Highlights
Propagating waves of excitation have been observed extensively in the neocortex, during both spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity, and they play a critical role in spatially organizing information processing
We address the state-dependence of lateral intracortical networks by analyzing spatiotemporal patterns of propagating population activity as recorded with voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging in rat visual cortex, under a high-amplitude ECoG-synchronized state and a low-amplitude ECoG-desynchronized state induced by urethane anesthesia
current source density (CSD) analysis To analyze the layered activity distribution in both cortical states, three animals were implanted with a silicon microelectrode (32 recording sites spaced 50 μm apart, each 400 μm2, NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc.) into the primary visual cortex (V1)
Summary
Propagating waves of excitation have been observed extensively in the neocortex, during both spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity, and they play a critical role in spatially organizing information processing. [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]) Among other functions, these waves are postulated to provide nonspecific background depolarization to neuronal assemblies, modulating the likelihood of action potential initiation within spatially segregated populations of cells [9,10]. Distinct global network states are a critical feature of neocortical dynamics, and characterize sleep and wakefulness [18], as well as stages of arousal and anesthesia [19].
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